Dear everyone,
The time has come when we have to say goodbye to our old website and move on to new things. This website has served us very well over the years, attracting more than 50,000 visits; helping us keep in touch with you all; and acting as a tool for all kinds of communication. In doing such a good job however, it has become perhaps a little too big, too cluttered and too much of an archive for the needs of our busy school community. So if you're wanting to catch up with Low Mill 2014, check the diary, or just see what we're all about, please redirect your browser to our NEW WEBSITE! Please bear in mind that the new site is in it's infancy and lots will be added in the next few weeks. The new site will soon take the place of this site, although we will keep this one as an archive so you can check back when you feel like a trip down memory lane.
Our new website -
CLICK HERE

Newsletter 6 - Wrap up Warm!
Welcome back everyone to a rather grey, cold and wet November. I really hope you’ve had a good half-term rest and that all the children have recharged their batteries and are ready, for what is always a busy half-term in the run up to Christmas. As the weather has now taken a rather significant turn for the worst, please ensure your children are suitably dressed for the season ahead. Many children are coming to school without a proper coat - a zip up hoody is not appropriate for the colder weather and will not keep children dry. We also have a number of children who are not wearing the correct uniform - our policy and Home School Agreement states that black shoes or plain black trainers should be worn. Unfortunately, children who do not have the correct uniform or suitable clothing will not be able to take part in outside breaks and activities.
Children in Need
Children in Need is fast approaching us again and this year the theme is Superheroes and Villains. If this is not an option your child may wear something yellow/spotty. The children should come to school in their outfit on Friday 14th November. To raise money for this we would appreciate a donation of £1 if your child wishes to dress up. Please be aware with the weather turning colder that your child will still need to bring something warm to wear.
P.E.
As the weather is turning colder, it is important that the children bring with them a warm P.E. kit. It is essential that they have full length warm trousers, which are dark in colour (for example jogging bottoms), a warm, dark coloured, jumper style top (for example a fleece/hoody) and trainers. Please can I remind you that we do sell Filey Junior School P.E. Hoodies in the School Office for £10. Due to having no hall available to us at the moment the children will continue to undertake P.E. outside. It is essential that your child is able to keep warm during these session.
Harvest
Thank you to everyone who turned out for our Harvest Festival at the end of last term. We had a packed church and everyone enjoyed sharing our harvest songs and messages. We collected an excellent range and quantity of produce and I would like to thank you all very much for your donations. The food we collected was donated to Saint Catherine’s Hospice and they were extremely grateful for the generosity shown.
Lingotastic French
Pupils are warmly invited to come and enjoy some fun French learning at 'LinGOtastics!' French Club - Two free taster sessions will be held over lunchtime at 12:30pm on Tuesday 25th November (for years 3 & 4) and Wednesday 26th November (for years 5 & 6) in Miss S Robson’s classroom. Children just need to simply turn up! 'LinGOtastics!' is a paid for fun filled extra-curricular activity which promotes French language learning using songs, books, games, puppets, rhymes, stories and craft activities. Subject to demand, classes will resume in January 2015.
Sports
Girls' football: A huge well done to the girls' football team for their performance against Seamer this week. We won the match 2 - 0 thanks to some excellent goals from Amber Colling and Bethany Barnes. The girls played brilliantly as a team, and behaviour was excellent. Miss Robson would like to take the opportunity to thank all of the girls for their hard work and commitment on a Friday lunch time and after school. Due to other commitments, she is unable to continue girls' football, but Miss Atkinson has kindly offered to continue the club.
And we finally have the results of the cross-country races! After 2 events our year 3/4 girls are in 2nd place, year 5/6 girls 2nd place and year 5/6 boys 3rd places. It’s very close so we must make sure we enter a team in the remaining 3 races!
Well done to you all and a big thank you to Mrs Mills, Mrs Richardson and Mrs Bosomworth.
Poppies
As part of our work around Remembrance Day, every child in school has produced a clay poppy. These poppies have now been glazed and fired and we are now producing a permanent display on the front of the outside of the the school. Please take time to have a look - hopefully your child’s poppy will still be there in 100 years time!
As always, let us know if you need any help or advice, or if there is anything you want to discuss.
Mr H McCarthey & Staff.

Welcome to class 11!
Important days to remember:
Mondays we are given spellings and times-tables to learn for tests on Fridays.
Tuesday and Wednesday we need our P.E. kit (indoor and outdoor please).
Fridays we are given a piece of literacy and numeracy homework to complete for the following Monday.
We all need to make sure we bring our spelling books, reading books and reading record every day!!!

The following calculation policy has been devised to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum 2014 for the teaching and learning of mathematics. It is designed to:
Ensure a commonality of approach across the school.
Aid transition between stages as understanding develops.
Enable children to progress onto formal written methods as understanding develops.
Clarify the layout of calculations (and the exact recording of these) across the school.
Enable children to appropriately record for understanding using the most efficient written method.
The calculation policy is organised into stages which children progress through as their understanding develops. This enables children to be moved onto the next stage as soon as they are ready, or work at a lower stage until they are secure enough to move on.

Newsletter 5 - Green Cross Code
I know I have mentioned this several times already this year, but I do need to remind everyone again to please reinforce the message of road safety at home. We have once again had reports of children not using the crossing facilities appropriately and of children taking risks on the roads. Next week Mr Kenny, our crossing patrol officer, will be absent on Monday & Tuesday and unfortunately the local authority have not been able to arrange any cover. I know this may sound very bureaucratic, but unfortunately we are not able to supervise the children crossing ourselves due to matters arising from insurance and appropriate training. Please ensure you are taking appropriate measures to ensure your child’s safety on the journey to and from school. Another issue which I need to make you aware of, is that we suspect some children are being dropped off in a morning at school, but they are then walking back into town, perhaps to visit the shops or meet friends, rather than coming directly into school. If we are aware of specific children doing this, we will of course inform parents, but at the moment I would ask that you ensure your child comes directly into school once they are dropped off.
Parents Evening
You will, by now, have received your appointments for Parents Evening (or afternoon if you are attending one of the other times). As mentioned previously, I will be available in the ICT suite to discuss the technology we are using in school. I will also be joined by members of Filey Library who would like to demonstrate some of the online resources our children are now able to access both at school and at home.
Harvest
Apologies first of all for the short notice, but we are going to hold a last minute Harvest Festival at Filey Methodist Church next Thursday from 1:30pm. We didn’t think we would be able to hold a service this year as we have not had a hall in school due to the building work for the new canteen. Children and teachers were keen to put something together however and we have managed to book the church for Thursday afternoon. This will be a little different to the usual service as we are hoping to take all the children at once to celebrate Harvest; sing some songs and hymns; and announce our Merit Award winners for the term. You are welcome to join us for this celebration.
Book Fair
The Travelling Book Fair will be open in school on Monday and Tuesday evening, straight after school in the main corridor until about 4:30pm. It will also be open on Tuesday break time.
Sports
A big well done this week to our two tag rugby teams on an excellent performance in the Year 5/6 Scarborough area tournament on Tuesday where they finished second! Also, the Year 5/6 girls' football team were in action against Lindhead and Northstead. Although the girls were beaten in both fixtures, their team spirit and sportsmanship was a credit to them. And finally, a big thank you to the parents and staff who transported children and came to watch - we couldn't have got there without them so they need a thank you!
Low Mill 2014
Our intrepid Year 6 children will be returning from their adventures at Low Mill today. The children have been away for the week and have enjoyed a range of activities ranging from getting wet in a river, to getting cold up a mountain, to getting wet and cold in caves. Due to some issues with YouTube, we had to take some of the video footage down earlier in the week, but you can now catch up with all of their adventures via our website. Once again, if you have any ideas or suggestions for the new website, please let us know.
Shoe Box Appeal
Once again this year we are hoping to fill shoeboxes to send to needy children around the world with "Operation Christmas Child". All the children have seen a DVD of last year's shoeboxes being opened by needy children in Romania. What joy on their faces! We are encouraging each class to fill 2 boxes, one for a boy and another for a girl. It would be great if children were encouraged to bring just one thing for their class boxes, for example a small toy, a cuddly toy, ball, pens, pencils, crayons, felt pens, notebook, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, soap, woolly hat, gloves, or any other suggestion your child may have (no glass bottles please). If as a family you would like to fill your own shoebox, Mrs Bosomworth can let you have a box and an information leaflet with all the details. Please return completed boxes to Mrs Bosomworth by 7th November. Thank you in anticipation.
As always, let us know if you need any help or advice, or if there is anything you want to discuss.
Mr H McCarthey & Staff.

Another day, another dunking!
Breakfast was cereal, waffles, tomato, sausage, bacon and poached egg.
Archery, canoeing, bushcraft, abseiling were the daytime activities.
Chicken cobbler with vegetables and rice pudding for tea.
A village quiz and packing before bed.
The children have been a delight to be with all week. True superstars.
See you tomorrow, folks. Zzzzzzz.

Bacon, sausage, hash browns and boiled egg followed cereal to fill our stomachs before Day Three's adventures. Group 3 had the pleasure of Barney's company venturing up Pen-y-Ghent while the others swapped between caving and climbing.
All groups got WET. Great fun though!
Massive slabs of pizza, chips, potato salad and coleslaw awaited our return. Chocolate orange trifle followed.
The children used their brains for quiz night and have written messages to you! Enjoy.
Dear Mum, Col, Marc, Toby and Guppy,
Having a lovely time I’m still alive been up massive mountains and had fun.
Love from Alix.
Dear mum, dad, caleb, phoebe, grandma and anita,
Having an absolute mint time. Done all the stuff I thought I would never be able to do
Having lots of fun.
Love from Jake J
Dear mum,dad I am having a good time see you when I get back I will tell you the things when I get back
Love from Theo
Dear Mum, Dad and Sam,
I miss you llooooaaadddss!! But, I am having a great time, and I’ve proved to myself that caving is probably one of the best activities YET and climbing was good because I didn’t even know we were doing it, like bush craft. We’re doing archery and then canoeing tomorrow (to me) and I’m looking forward to coming back but I’m having a good time! JJJ
Loads of love, Kian xxxx J
Dear Mum, Dad and Evie,
I am missing you terribly but don’t worry about me I am having a epic time and the best thing so far is caving which is the best thing however I think I will have a even better time doing ab-sailing , hope you are having a great time!
LOTS and LOTS of love, Paige xxxxx
Dear, mum , dad, Aaron and Jordan ,
I am enjoying myself very much, but I am missing all of you very much and I can’t wait to come home, and I went caving and I started crying because I am crossathorpek but after a bit I was fine also I am fine I haven’t hurt myself (yet) xxx lots of lovee Morgan xxxxxxxx
Dear Mum and Dad,
I am having a great time at low mill. On Monday we did boosh craft and we made our own den and made a fire and with it made bred and roasted marshmallows. Today we did caving and it was amazing, some of the spaces were really small and we just about made it through. Hope youre having a good time in Filey.
From Jake C
Dear Mum and Dad,
I am enjoying my time at Low Mill, On Monday we went to a forest and did a activity called Bush Crafting, we made a tent from wooden sticks and we also made a fire, we roasted marshmallows and made bread, fruit bread and plain. I did caving and got wet in the streams and rapids. Iv having a good time and hope you are too.
Love From Nia xx
Dear dad and Anna,
At the moment I am enjoying everything we have done so far. The first day we got to low mill we unpacked our things and went on a night walk. We also went up the tallest mountain in Yorkshire. Today we went climbing and I was the first person to go up to the top first. Then we went down caves and some of the part of the cave was very hard to get throw.
Love you lots Holly xxx
Dear mum and dad
At the moment I am am having fun Toddy we went caving and we went down a muddy silde and there were a maser puddle at the bottom and got wet.
Lots of love from Jessicaxx
Dear mum
Yesterday we went climbing up a mountain it was quite hard but when we got to the top I was relived.
Lots of love lizzie xxx
Dear: Mum, Dad, Dermot, Mia, Tadhg, Pippa, Lori,
I’ve had a wonderful time and I loved the caving however, I’ve been missing you – a lot! From Eoin.
To Mum, Dad, Ellie,
I’m having a great time at Low Mill and I’m getting a Low Mill cooking book for you Mum. At caving today I was a bit nervous but it turned out okay. I hope your alright and I’ll see you on Friday.
From Sam S
Dear Mum, Dad, Sid
Having a great time it was a few hours to get up pennygent mountain I am having a great time at Low Mill it is really good hope your having a good time at home.
From Sam H
Dear Mum, Dad, Violet
I’m having a great time at low mill. Today me and the rest of the group went caving and climbing. I’m really missing you a lot and I hope your having fun at home.
From Saxon D
Dear mum and dad
Miss you lots I am having an amazing time at low as we climbed the amazing penny gent yesterday.
From Chloe
Dear Mum, Dad and Sophie,
I am missing you lots but having a great time. Looking forward to seeing you on Friday. Is Sophie lonely?
From Hannah
Dear Cows,
I am missing you so much! Say hi to mum and dad for me.
Love from Lara xxxx
Dear family ,
Had a head ace in the cave alright still
Lots of love Kaine xxxx
Dear family
Having a great time in low mill
From Harrison
Dear Mum, Dad, Kell and Max,
I hope you are all okay and well. I am having a great time in Low Mill, still alive and having fun. We have climbed a mountain and we have abseiled, gone caving and climbed.
I love you all loads, from Kai J
Dear Mum and taryn
I am having a great time at low mill, I hope your all ok(including Alfie and jax). I am exhausted from climbing pen-y-eghent .
Love you loads from megan
Dear Daddy and Natalie,
I’m having a great time. Today, I climbed Pen-Y-Ghent. Happy B day Lewis, see you on Friday, don’t be jealous daddy I’ve only done caving, climbing, hiking, a night walk and abseiling, bushcraft tomorrow and canoeing on Friday, Izzy xxx <3 8-B.
Dear Mum and Dad,
Today we climbed mount Pen-y-Ghent we had great fun fortunately I am still in one peace. Yesterday we were caving it was astonishing because there was a slide. The day before we absailed down a bridge.
Lots of love Owen.
Dear mum, having fun love skye.
Dear dad cant wait to see you love jessi
Dear mum,dad,lexi and kylie.
Missing you lots,
Love Shakira.
Dear mum,
Miss you lots Pen-y-Ghent was very wet.
From Sam K
Dear family of long away, I’m enjoying my stay hope you’re ok
From Tom
Dear family hope your all okay
From Josh
Dear mum and dad
I hope you are okay
love from Brooklyn

After a hearty breakfast of cereal, fried eggs, bacon, potato smiles and toast, the group split into two. One section climbed the heady heights of Pen-y-Ghent (694m above sea level) whilst the other group climbed the wall before being plunged deep underground!
We enjoyed a roast beef dinner and strawberry mousse after which we enjoyed the egg challenge. Using limited materials we designed and made a device to (hopefully) protect an egg from a fall.
We are so proud of our children who are incredibly brave and adventurous.
Tomorrow we will be swapping activities. Bring it on!

Day One - A great journey (only two sick bags filled) found a good chunk of Year Six arrive safely at Low Mill. After the annual wrestle with duvet covers, lunch was eaten. Massive thanks for the Low Mill team for rustling up lunches for the four who forgot theirs!
We split into our groups: abseiling, bushcraft and archery for a fun-packed afternoon. Fish, chips and peas, followed by treacle sponge and custard warmed us up before our spooky night walk.
Tiredness and a competitive streak meant that all children were desperate to get to sleep after drinking their hot chocolate! Mountain climbing, caving and rock climbing await us tomorrow!

Newsletter 4 - A Big Thank You
I was very pleased to receive a letter from our Chair of Governors earlier this week. The letter detailed a meeting between the Chair and a parent, held at the parent’s request, in which the parent thanked and praised the school and a number of teachers and staff for the hard work, care and attention given towards her children. I have to say that this meeting and the letter we received has given the whole staff a real lift. I know that many of our staff work very long hours and I’m often discussing school with them (via emails, text etc.) late into the evening. This is a reflection of the commitment and work which they put into providing an excellent quality of education and care to your children. Obviously, we don’t get everything right every time, but everyone in school does give 100%. I think it’s very important that we acknowledge this every once in a while and say thank you to everyone in school and thank you to those who support us.
Parent’s Evening
You should be receiving slips to book appointments with your child’s class teacher in the next few days. Parents’ Evening will be on Monday 20th October with other slots available throughout that week. The Parents’ Evening will be a good opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, their targets, and how they have settled in to the new school year.
I will be available in the ICT suite, throughout the evening of the Monday to demonstrate some of the IT services which children are now accessing in school and, of course, to answer any questions you may have.
Jewellery & Nail Varnish
Just a brief reminder that children should not wear any jewellery, makeup or nail varnish for school. We do make an exception for watches and ‘stud’ earrings, but children must remove these for PE and it is the child’s responsibility to look after them. Please do not allow children to wear any hoop, dangling or large stud earrings as these pose a health and safety risk and we would need to ask children to remove these.
We don’t have many children around school using makeup, but we do, quite often, need to speak to children regarding nail varnish. Please ensure that if your child is using nail varnish that it is fully removed for school.
Website
We are currently in the process of redesigning our Website. I’d like your ideas and thoughts about this and how we can provide you with a useable web presence. If you have any ideas or thoughts, please let me know - phone, in person or email.
Building Update
Our canteen is moving at a pace now and every week we see another phase completed. This week we have a roof! The builders have been working long hours and have erected the timber roof structure which will be tiled next week. I am reliably informed that we are on target for our October 31st completion date and we’re now wanting to involve the children a little more in the interior design of the canteen.
Maths
A big thank you to Miss Randell who invited parents along to a Maths evening last night. She has asked me to pass on this message:
“A huge thank you to the parents and children (especially our invaluable staff and volunteers) who attended the Calculation Drop-in yesterday. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet some new parents and discuss opportunities to become more involved in your child's mathematical learning. If you were unable to attend and you have any questions, or would just like to be more involved, feel free to get in touch; we're always happy to have parents on board!
In light of discussions from the Open Evening, I feel it is important to point out the use of Mathletics and Sumdog. These are fantastic internet based resources which the school pay for so children can access them both in school and at home. Each child has a login and password which enables them to use the service. All Teachers set weekly Mathletics tasks to extend and support children's learning. We hope you will support us by helping your child access these websites to complete these tasks. Children who don't have access to the Internet are welcome to attend lunchtime Mathletics clubs so they can still access the resource www.mathletics.com www.sumdog.co.uk
Miss A.Randell”
As always, let us know if you need any help or advice, or if there is anything you want to discuss.
Mr H McCarthey & Staff.

Our Favourite Web Sites

Below you will find a range of educational (and fun) websites which you may find useful at home. Some of the activities will be familiar to children from their work at school and some will provide a good opportunity for you to work with your child.

We hope you enjoy these resources and if you have any others you think we would like, please let us know.

Below you will find a range of educational (and fun) websites which you may find useful at home. Some of the activities will be familiar to children from their work at school and some will provide a good opportunity for you to work with your child.

We hope you enjoy these resources and if you have any others you think we would like, please let us know.